i n C i v i l E n g i n e e r i n g
Career Paths
Do you ever wonder what path you would
follow to become a corporate chief executive
officer … or a public works director? How
about a professor of civil engineering? A project
engineer for a large consulting firm? Or a senior
project manager for a construction
manage-ment firm? This brochure explores many of
the typical careers paths open to you as a civil
engineer.
While there are no magic formulas to achieve
your career goals, the career paths presented
here were developed by civil engineers in these
fields and represent their knowledge of a logical
career progression.
This brochure illustrates only five of the dozens
of paths possible in the broad and expanding
field of civil engineering. Your individual
inter-ests, skills, and training will dictate the path you
should follow. Over time, you may modify your
career path based on personal interests, values,
goals, experiences, and new opportunities that
present themselves.
This document provides a tool to help you
create a strategy for your own personal career
development. Planning for advancement can
make the difference between a mediocre job
and obtaining your position of choice.
for Civil Engineers
This career path shows many of the options available for civil engineers who have chosen a career in government, such as local, state and federal agencies. Some leave the technical engineering path as they progress and move into government management. At this level, additional leadership training and education in public administration or business management is recommended. Whether planning to stay on the technical track or not, government engineers should seek additional training in their area of technical expertise to advance within their organizations. Government engineers are often involved in developing policy and standards for the profession and general public.
Positively impact our
public infrastructure,
influence public
policy, and
affect codes and
regulations.
Government
Entry-Level Engineer Project Manager/Engineer Supervisory EngineerSenior Engineer / Engineering Manager Engineering DepartmentHead of Government Government Departmentor Agency Director
Look around you. You see buildings and roads; you
drink clean water and breathe clean air. Civil engineers,
together with other disciplines, make these aspects of
everyday life possible!
Be a part of it! As a civil engineer, find creative solutions
to problems while working on a wide range of local,
regional, and/or global projects. Apply cutting edge math,
science, and technology to make a difference in the world.
Find a civil engineering career path that best suits you.
i n C i v i l E n g i n e e r i n g
Consulting offers a multitude of career opportunities in firms ranging in size from less than 10 people to more than 1,000. At smaller firms, civil engineers have the opportunity to work on numerous varied projects, design challenges, and management-related activities. At larger firms, they have the opportunity to focus on specific projects, design expertise, and business management, depending on the core competence of the firm. Whether at a small or large firm, civil engineers in consulting generally start with basic engineering evaluations, computations, and design, which opens the door to many career paths and flexibility to change paths if they so choose.
Civil engineers in academia are involved with teaching the next generation of engineers and developing engineering curriculum that prepares students with the knowledge they need to succeed in their careers. This career path requires an advanced degree, including a doctorate in most cases. Engineering educators write grants to obtain research funding and work with graduate students to conduct research aimed at developing advancements in the field of engineering. At many academic institutions, publishing research findings and obtaining grant funding for your academic institution are key elements to success. Additionally, facilitating student learning and achieving recognition as a top performing teacher help make this a fulfilling career choice.
Devise and
implement civil
engineering design
solutions for a wide
variety of projects
and an array
of clients.
Shape the future of
civil engineering
and prepare the
next generation of
professionals.
Consulting
Education
Work Experience Masters Degree/MSCE Assistant Professor
Technical Track Program Management/ Technical Principal Corporate/Industry Expert/ Chief Engineer Global Expert Management Track -
marketing, finance, operations Business Unit/Corporate Management/Principal Executive/SeniorManagement Regional/Global Director Business Development Track -
business development, proposals Development ManagerRegional Business Business DevelopmentVice President - Business DevelopmentExecutive/Senior VP - Dean
Ph.D.
Masters Degree/
MSCE Ph.D.
Entry-Level
Engineer Technical ExpertiseProject Engineer, PresidentCEO/
University Provost/
Assistant Chancellor University President/ Chancellor Associate Professor Professor
In industry, civil engineers work in diverse settings including manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, public facilities and utilities, and many others
providing goods and services to the public. They manage large plants, oversee the design/construction of facilities, and obtain critical environmental, construction, and operating permits. Civil engineers are instrumental in new ventures requiring environmental site assessments and feasibility studies. They make significant
contributions to decrease costs, increase profits, and produce smaller environmental footprints by developing more efficient processes, implementing waste minimization programs, and finding creative solutions to a wide range of issues.
In construction, civil engineers may work for a contractor to create the built environment, transforming engineering and architectural design drawings from paper to reality. They are involved in projects of every size and complexity from airports, bridges, and tunnels to local roads and the water and wastewater lines to our homes. The core civil engineering curriculum provides an excellent foundation for the critical thinking necessary to work in the construction sector. Additional classes in project management, safety, scheduling, estimating, and risk management are recommended. As construction is hands on, early field experience is essential to building your career. Civil engineers in the construction sector are instrumental in building and maintaining the world we live in.
Use civil engineering
to bring innovation
to industry for more
successful and
cost-effective operations,
processes, and
products.
Build a sustainable
future—ensuring
safety and
excellence in the
built environment.
Industry
Construction
Superintendent Project Engineer/Technical Expertise Facilities ManagementProject Engineer/ Program and Portfolio Management Operations/DivisionManager
Assistant
Project Manager Project Manager Project ManagerSenior Entry-Level
Engineer
Project Engineer Entry-Level
Engineer Construction Executive Executive/SeniorManagement
Technical Sales/
Marketing/Consulting Implementation EngineerAccount Manager/ Business Development/Management
Executive/Senior Management
Assistant
